Xi: New 5-Year plan holds opportunities for whole world

China’s 13th five-year plan for national economic and social development will offer opportunities for the whole world, President XI Jinping said Tuesday in Beijing reported state news agency Xinhua.

At the second Understanding China Conference in Beijing, attended by about 200 former political leaders, intellectuals and entrepreneurs from different countries, including former Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Xi said China will continue to reform and share opportunities with other countries.

As China becomes a bigger economic force in the world, foreign leaders are trying to get a better understanding of China’s views on major global issues.

Calling reform key to China’s destiny, Xi said the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee, held in Beijing last week, had put forward reforms of “unprecedented” strength and range, said Xinhua.

The session approved proposals on the 13th five-year plan for China’s national economic and social development from 2016 to 2020. Chief among the proposals was the goal of China doubling its 2010 gross domestic product and per capita income by 2020. It also proposed targets on urbanization, poverty, the environment and governance.

“China’s 13th five-year plan cannot be realized without substantial cooperation from the world,” Xi said. “We will continue to deepen reform in various areas, stick to a peaceful development road and an open strategy, and let the world benefit.”

The “Belt and Road” initiative aims to revive ancient trade routes that span Asia, Africa and Europe. Concerning the Belt and Road, Xi said it is an open and inclusive proposal to drive domestic demand and employment in countries along the route, and promote world economic recovery.

China will host the 2016 G20 summit with three goals in mind – a consensus on addressing the problems of the world economy; beefing up the role of the G20 as the main platform for global economic cooperation; and sending the world a positive message of solidarity and coordination, Xi said.